Lakers to retire O'Neal, Wilkes jerseys

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Lakers announced plans to retire the jerseys of [url="[url]http://www.upi.com/topic/Shaquille_O"]Shaquille[/url] O'Neal[/url] and Jamaal Wilkes this season.O'Neal's No. 34 jersey is to be raised to the rafters of the Staples Center on April 2, 2013. Wilkes' jersey -- No. 52 -- is to be retired Dec. 28.O'Neal played eight seasons of his 19-season NBA career with the Lakers. The team won three consecutive NBA titles, starting in 2000, while he was in the lineup.Wilkes played for the Lakers from 1977-84. Los Angeles won four NBA championships in that span.The Lakers also said they plan to unveil a statue of [url="[url]http://www.upi.com/topic/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar/"]Kareem[/url] Abdul-Jabbar[/url] outside the Staples Center. Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He led the Lakers to five championships.His will be the sixth statue outside the Staples Center. Former Lakers Jerry West and [url="[url]http://www.upi.com/topic/Magic_Johnson/"]Magic[/url] Johnson[/url] along with hockey's [url="[url]http://www.upi.com/topic/Wayne_Gretzky/"]Wayne[/url] Gretzky[/url], boxer [url="[url]http://www.upi.com/topic/Oscar_De_La_Hoya/"]Oscar[/url] de La Hoya[/url] and broadcaster Chick Hearn also have statues at the arena.